Jesus & BuddhaBrett SchopenWestern Traditions 20110/29/94Disciple?: I have heard that you are two of the wisest men in the land and so Ihave come to you in hopes of advise.
I am scared for my future and for thefuture of my newborn daughter. Can you tell me what is in store for us orgive me an assurance me that we will be all right? Jesus: Do not worryabout your life. Do not worry about food, drink, the body. Life is more thanthese things.
Believe in your heavenly Father. He knows what you need and willprovide you with it if you practice and have faith in his teachings. Strive forthe kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given toyou as well. Buddha: No.
Comfort in the present and future must come frominside the self , not from a God. In meditation you will find the truth oflife that will set you free from worry. Don’t chase after the past,Don’t seek the future;The past is goneThe future hasn’t comeBut see clearly on the spotThat object which is now,While finding and living inA still, unmoving state of mind. This focus on the present is the beginning of the path to enlightenmentwhich is comfort through understanding. When you are able to keep yourmind focused on the present in a still, unmoving state of mind’ you havereached enlightenment, where you will be beyond all emotion includingsuffering and worry. Jesus: That is not so.
A search for the entire true of life can never make youcontent in your life because you can never know everything there is. Thatis for God alone to know. To enter the kingdom of heaven you must havefaith in our Father. You must trust in His wisdom even in hard times.
For to know all and understand all you would be a god. And puttingyourself on a platform with God is disrespectful and blasphemous. But if youfollow His laws your suffering will end in the hereafter. Buddha: Truth is available to all people not just gods. For truth is in allthings in the universe. We only have to learn not to react with emotion tosee it.
If you can master not reacting through meditation you will see thetrue nature of the universe that lies behind the illusion of emotion. In thistruth you will see the cause and effect relationship of all things andin that an order which will bring you understanding and comfort. Disciple?: What are the truths and teachings you speak of?Jesus: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you. Alwayslive by this rule and respect your Father and you will one day beallowed to walk beside Him in the kingdom of heaven. Buddha: In this we do not much differ. The most fundamental truth is to havecompassion for all creatures.
Without this you can never end suffering . “If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection ofmy ungrudging love. In trying to cause another anguish you only hurtyourself. A wicked man who spits at heaven spoils not the heaven, butdefiles himself when the spittle comes back on him.
“Disciple?: But how can I know who is right?Jesus: You can know I speak the truth because I am our Father’s Son and I carryhis word. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom ofheaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessedare those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will befilled. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. “Disciple?: That seems fair.
But if I believe in God I cannot be saved because Ihave already gone against these without even knowing it. Jesus: You can still be saved my son. For I am the Son of God and I am here toheal you and absolve your sins. Disciple?: You even have the power to cleanse my rotted leg?Jesus: Yes I do.
Be made clean!Disciple?: OH MY?! My eyes deceive my mind! How can this be?!?Jesus: The power of God my son.Buddha: My dear boy do you not see that no matter what power he might have hecannot truly free you from suffering? In your reaction to his healingyou started again the cycle that leads
